Recognizing how important the opportunities for engagement and campus involvement are to the collegiate experience and mission, the university has diligently planned for a fall semester taking into account the range of needs and concerns of our community while remaining flexible to the changing public health guidance at the federal, state and local levels.
The Student Services and Support Subcommittee evaluated hundreds of services, events, activities and programs (SEAPs) to best determine how they could be offered within the university’s parameters and protocols. The subcommittee decided on three formats for offering SEAPs this fall:
- Fully virtual offerings utilizing Zoom and/or other digital platforms
- Hybrid offerings that will offer some components virtually and others in-person
- In-person offerings that adhere to social distancing and public safety guidelines
Student services — which includes advising, the Center for Student Success and First Year Experience, the University Counseling Center, the Student Health Center, UMatter, Student Disability Services, Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct, academic support and access, and others — will be fully operational in accordance with health and safety standards.
Programs and services such as Fraternity and Sorority Life recruitment, Student Union programming, Campus Recreation, Registered Student Organization activities, Career Services, and others will all be available this fall with appropriate protocols to mitigate virus spread.
The university will continue to review and evaluate our offerings, and we encourage you to routinely visit our student affairs website. In addition, we encourage you to visit departmental websites frequently to obtain up-to-date information.
Student Housing / Fall 2020 Move-In
The “Groovin’ at Move-In” fall 2020 opening is scheduled for August 15-21. Student Housing will facilitate move-in through an appointment-based system over the seven-day period. Programs that require an early move-in timeframe are being communicated with through Student Housing, who will provide details about early arrival needs and dates.
Students will be expected to wear face coverings and be limited to no more than two guests per resident who can accompany them during move-in. The number of volunteers will be significantly reduced this year and will not be able to assist with moving personal items. All procedures will follow social distancing and other public health guidelines.
The university will share additional details about on-campus housing for Fall 2020 through direct communication to all 2020-21 residents of Student Housing.
Fraternity and Sorority Life
- Fraternity and sorority recruitment will proceed in a hybrid format. New member education will consist of a combination of in-person and virtual offerings.
- Move-in windows for residents of sorority houses will begin August 16.
- Move-in windows for residents of fraternity houses will begin August 21.
- Staff members will be available to meet with students by appointment only.
- Chapters will not be permitted to host social events in chapter facilities. Chapters will be able to register off-campus events through the Student Union event registration process and must adhere to current state and local executive orders and public health advice regarding hosting events safely.
- The House Corporation Boards and Alumni leadership of each housed chapter will operate under the COVID-19 Response Plan that they will submit to the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life. Plans will include information on:
- Dining
- Occupancy
- Facility Usage
- Cleaning & sanitation protocol
- Chapter Events
- COVID-19 contingency options
- For more information including FAQs, visit the FSL website.
The Ole Miss Student Union
- Seating in all common and dining areas of the Ole Miss Student Union will be reduced to promote social distancing. Face coverings will be mandatory while inside the building.
- Reservations for on-campus spaces will begin no earlier than Wednesday, July 15. Please note that maximum occupancy for these spaces is significantly reduced from prior years. All on- and off-campus gatherings, including events sponsored by registered student organizations, will adhere to the Events protocols, which are based on current executive and local orders as well as public health recommendations.
- For more information, visit union.olemiss.edu. For information about student organizations, visit the ForUM website.
Campus Recreation
- The South Campus Recreation Center and the Turner Center Pool will reopen July 13 with capacity limitations.
- Campus Recreation Services will be available by registration only via the OleMissCR App or at IMLeagues.com/OleMiss.
- All patrons entering the facilities will be prescreened and will adhere to social distancing guidelines.
- Intramural sports and sport clubs may be offered depending upon national, state, and local guidance at the time of the activity.
- Visit the Campus Rec website for more information.
Career Center
- The Career Center will continue offering career workshops and events in virtual and hybrid formats. Virtual career fairs will be offered in lieu of in-person events.
The Center for Inclusion and Cross Cultural Engagement
- The Center for Inclusion and Cross Cultural Engagement (CICCE) is dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive campus environment that complements the academic experience, connects and engages students with the university community, and provides opportunities for success in a multicultural society.In light of that mission, and in accordance with local, state and federal health and guidelines, the CICCE staff invites you to follow them on social media, on their mailing list, and via the website to learn more about the programs and services offered during the 2020 – 21 academic year.
- The staff is ready to help you have a wonderful experience and are happy to meet with you via appointment during this academic year.
- To set an appointment, contact CICCE via email at inclusion@olemiss.eduor contact one of us directly here.
Center for Student Success and First Year Experience
- The Center for Student Success and First Year Experience will offer academic advising and support services both in-person and virtually.
- EDHE 101, 105, 106, 201, 202, 203, and 305 will have in-person, hybrid, and online sections available for students.
- Large CSSFYE events such as the Veterans Gala and Convocation have been postponed or will be delivered in an alternative format.
Diversity and Community Engagement
- Programming formats are still being finalized, please see website for details: https://diversity.olemiss.edu/
ID Center
- The ID Center and campus bookstore will be open and receiving faculty, staff, students, and the general public for retail, textbook, and café sales. Face coverings and adherence to social distancing guidelines will be required for all patrons.
Luckyday Success Programs
- Luckday Success Programming will occur via hybrid model and will include virtual and in person programs and services. Specific details will be included on the Luckyday website.
Office of Financial Aid
- The Office of Financial Aid will be available to students and guests via phone, email, virtual sessions, and in-person appointments. Please note that students who have received freshman scholarships will lose that aid should they opt to attend class at another two-year or four-year institution. Once a student has taken classes as a freshman at another school, they are considered a transfer student at UM.
Office of Admissions
- For prospective students, the Office of Admissions will host three in-person campus visit sessions per weekday.
- Virtual campus visits are also available to those students and families who are unable to visit in person.
- Saturday weekend visit programs will be offered at reduced capacity and with a condensed schedule. Browse fairs and meals will not occur.
Ole Miss Family Association
- Summer Send Offs: Due to local, state and federal health and guidelines, all Ole Miss Family Association Summer Send Offs have been moved to online using Zoom for the 2020 Academic Year. Dates for the Send Offs are currently being set for the following regions: Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Atlanta metro, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, Louisiana, DC, Maryland and Virginia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Preregistration is required for these events. More information can be found at https://families.olemiss.edu/summer-sendoff/
- Family Bid Day Brunch: After discussion with the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Family Bid Day Brunch cannot be brought into alignment with university protocols and parameters and will not be hosted this year.
- Fall Family Weekend: Planning is ongoing and details will be provided at a later time on the website.
- Updates will be posted on https://families.olemiss.edu/
Student Disability Services
- Student requests for accommodations related to pre-existing medical conditions or other disabilities should still be made to the SDS Office.
- For those students requesting accommodations or exemptions with regards to face coverings, face shields will be required and will be available through the SDS office.
- Students are strongly encouraged to submit their requests as soon as possible.
- The Testing Center will remain available to students during the fall semester though at a reduced capacity in adherence with social distancing guidelines.
UMatter
- CARE support meetings will occur both in-person and virtually, based on student needs.
- The Food Bank is currently operating via grab and go bags.
- Violence Prevention Program support is currently fully operational.
- For more information, visit the UMatter website.
University Counseling Center
- The University Counseling Center will provide hybrid services this fall. Students have the option of in person or tele-mental health services.
- For more information, visit the UCC website for specific information about how to access services.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
- Columns Society will be active with meetings held in hybrid and in-person formats.
- Faith Leaders Luncheons will occur in a variety of formats based on number of attendees and meeting requirements.
- The Mortar Board will be active with meetings held in-person or via Zoom.